April Fools’ Day has come and gone and that means New England Classic riders need to get down to business. There are almost 24 million people in this country with diabetes counting on us to get serious about raising the funds that will help improve their lives and find a cure for the disease they battle every day.

It looks like here in New England we can actually put aside those plans for building an ark and tune up the bike. Get on the road and start training folks. It’s now less than 100 days – 99 to be exact – before we roll out of Chomerics on Day 1 of the NEC. A well-trained butt is a happy butt so we need you to get yours on the bike so it’s merrily riding along with us in July.

As for fund raising, the sooner you get started the sooner you’ll have raised well more than the minimum.  It’s all about just asking. Whether it’s in person, by phone, in a letter or email, you need to take that first step of asking people if they would like to help defeat an insidious disease afflicting their neighbors, co-workers, friends and family. That’s no exaggeration. Almost 8 percent of the U.S. population or about 1 in 13 people have diabetes.

So what are you waiting for? Don’t be shy. Make your fund-raising efforts something everyone will want to be a part of. Maybe this time of year you can give out jelly beans to everyone who contributes. And when they say, “But diabetes and candy don’t seem to mix,” simply explain that the NEC is “a sweet ride to beat diabetes”. At the same time you’re reminding them that the simple pleasure of a sweet treat that they take for granted isn’t such a simple matter for people with diabetes.

Now don’t finish reading this and make the mistake of telling your self that July is still a long way off. It’s really not. With your training and fund-raising it pays to build momentum early. No ride is too short because every mile in the saddle makes a difference.  No contribution is too small because every dollar makes a difference.

See you on the road.

YOUR BUTT BELONGS HERE

In February your heart belonged to your valentine. Well, it’s March now and regardless of how you fared romantically your butt belongs with us — on a bike that is — in July, riding to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association.

The 2010 New England Classic rolls out in just 4-1/2 months, just 19 weeks or just 132 days depending on how you choose to count. But no matter how you count it’s closer than you think. And if you haven’t registered to ride yet it’s way too close. What are you waiting for? Spring?? Spring doesn’t really exist in New England. So if you are already sick of winter do your psyche some good and pretend it’s already summer.

What does that mean? That means the NEC is just around the corner and you better get your butt in gear, get registered, start fund-raising and at least think about training!

Don’t believe me? I’ll tell you what. Go down to Parker-Hannifin Chomerics at 77 Dragon Court in Woburn at 1 p.m. Saturday and tell me you don’t see a bunch of cyclists talking about this great ride around New England they are doing to support the American Diabetes Association. There’s no surer sign of summer than a gathering of the NEC Caravan of Crazies.

See you there at the Rider Roundup.

Punxsutawney Phil

OK, you varmints, it’s time to crawl out of your hole and get with the program. That’s right, it’s Groundhog Day and I’m back – again – to harass, remind, haunt, plead, implore, beg or whatever else it takes to get you to register for the American Diabetes Association’s 2010 New England Classic.

This year’s tour is shaping up to be the best ever. We’ve already hit the 60-rider mark and are aiming for all-time highs in riders and fund-raising. But we need you to make this happen. If you’re a veteran rider, don’t make like that petulant Punxsutawney character hunkered down on Gobbler’s Knob waiting for spring. Sub-freezing temperatures are absolutely perfect for registering as a rider in the New England Classic. You don’t have to leave the house or even get out of your PJs.

Just go to http://main.diabetes.org/nectourdecure and sign up. Right now! There’s no time like the present to start raising funds for the ADA. In fact, you should take the same approach to fund-raising and training – early and often.

Day One is just 23 weeks from this Saturday and soon you’ll hear more about our annual Rider Roundup on March 6, where you can trade stories from past years, make plans for this year and meet new riders. We’ve got four weeks until the Roundup and I say we should celebrate it with a century – that’s right 100 riders registered. What did you think I was suggesting, a 100-mile training ride? Not yet. But I just may celebrate with a ride to the Roundup if we hit 100 riders.

So while you are figuring out your year-end giving, consider donating to the ADA through the New England Classic. Your money is fully tax deductible (for this year if given by December 31).

You can sponsor a rider (leave the name blank and  click search), or give to the event in general. Both are appreciated.

And thanks again.

Our lovely and talented volunteers will be at the booth from 9:00 to 1:00 to answer any questions you might have about the NEC, and what’s involved in participating.

See you there?

Write a letter of thank you (e-mail is fine nowadays) and you can use the ADA’s online fundraising tools to make sure not to miss anyone (click “Follow ups” then in the drop-down list, select “have donated on your behalf to this event”. That will get the list of all your donors.

Write them a letter and tell them what happened during your ride. All too often, people donate to an event, then never even hear that you actually participated. That’s just not good. Bring your sponsors along for a part of the ride. Did anything notable happen to you? How was the food? What was it like to climb Crawford Notch? Did you meet any new friends? Ever been to Vermont before? How much better did you feel after the massage? Have you stopped eating 5,000 calorie meals since you got back? Have you been back on the bike since you got back? How much money did you raise? How much money did the event raise? What will the money be spent on? How many people participated. How was the weather?

Are you planning on riding next year? If so, tell your sponsors and remind them right now that you’ll be asking for another donation next year. That way, they’ll be expecting it and possibly saving something for you. Remember, your donors have many, many people asking for money; everything from public radio, to churches, to schools, to every charitable organization under the sun. Every one of them is deserving but there simply isn’t enough money to go around, especially nowadays.  This is one of the best ways for you to stand out in the crowd, and your sponsors will really appreciate and remember it.

I felt very nervous asking people for money when I know they are either unemployed or sitting on the edge expecting a layoff notice. I put these paragraphs at the start of my fundraising letter:

“I always find it difficult to ask family and friends for money, even when it is for a cause that is a critical as finding new treatments for the millions of Americans with diabetes. This year I feel particularly awkward because I know that many of you are experiencing personal challenges due to the current economic and employment crises. I have considered not asking some of you for your support this year but have decided instead to send you my annual appeal. Please be assured, however, that I understand if you choose to reduce the amount you contribute or defer your contribution until a time when your circumstances have improved.

For those of you who have not been too adversely affected by the economic downturn, please consider increasing your contribution. The American Diabetes Association has already undertaken strong measures to reduce overhead costs (reducing staff, cutting back on some activities, etc.) but the need for the association’s education, advocacy and research efforts has not declined. The need for your generosity is greater than ever. My goal is to match, or exceed, the $5000 that I raised last year.”

I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of my supporters. A number of them have increased their contributions significantly, and even those who are at risk of layoff, or already out of work, have still made sizable contributions. This is a testimony to the good people of Kokomo, but also to the importance of continuing our efforts to improve the lives of those affected by diabetes.

Feel free to the text of my “give if you can, give more if you can” paragraphs in your fundraising emails or letters.

I look forward to seeing all of my New England Classic friends in July. Until then – tailwinds to all!

Barbara Sehr